Windowlike structural element, particularly suitable for covering hotbeds or for the erection of building structures

ABSTRACT

A windowlike structural element assembled of several profile parts in the mechanical assembly technique. The structural element comprises a frame in which a translucent, lightweight windowlike covering of glass or of a plastic material is inserted. Generally, the element includes horizontal and vertical frame portions, each consisting of flat section profiles having bent leg portions, the profiles being joined by a slide-on sleeve. The covering is mounted between the flat sections by fixing means serving to also secure the frame portions and flat sections. Several structural elements may be combined to form a wall or a building structure.

United States Patent WINDOWLIKE STRUCTURAL ELEMENT, PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR COVERING HOTBEDS OR FOR THE ERECTION OF BUILDING STRUCTURES 14 Claims, 1 I Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 52/309, 52/397, 52/475, 52/624, 52/656 Int. Cl E04c 2/38, E06b 2/54 Field of Search 52/627,

[ References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,773,175 8/l930 Edwards 52/624 2,565,698 8/195l Patterson 52/628 Primary Examiner-John E. Murtagh Attorney-McGlew and Toren ABSTRACT: A windowlike structural element assembled of several profile parts in the mechanical assembly technique. The structural element comprises-a frame in which a translucent, lightweight windowlike covering of glass or of a plastic material is inserted. Generally, the element includes horizontal and vertical frame portions, each consisting of flat section profiles having bent leg portions, the profiles being joined by a slide-on sleeve. The covering is mounted between the flat sections by fixing means serving to also secure the frame portions and flat sections. Several structural elements may be combined to form a wall or a building structure.

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HEW/flail A. fnwu on m RNE Y5 PATENIED JUL 1 3 1971 SHEET 4 OF 4 WINDOWLIKE STRUCTURAL ELEMENT, PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR COVERING IIOTBEDS OR FOR THE ERECTION OF BUILDING STRUCTURES This invention relates to a windowlike structural element which is particularly suitable for covering hotbeds or for the erection of building structures and comprises a square or rectangular frame and a windowlike covering mounted in this frame.

For covering hotbeds, so-called hotbed windows are employed, consisting of a frame of wood, metal or plastic having ridgidly mounted therein a covering of glass, a hardened plastic plate such as polyester, or ofa plastic sheet or a plastic foil. The frames are provided makeshift rabbets for mounting the coverings. According to the possibilities of handling indicated by the covering material employed, the covering is held in the frames either by groove fillets or by small nails. If as covering material plastic sheets or plastic foil such as for example polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride sheet is used, suitable sheet blanks are fixed to a fillet frame or a web of such material is stretched in a frame construction and these frames are then utilized for covering hotbeds or greenhouses. Technically, and judged by their appearance coverings of this type will be always considered as makeshift arrangements. Low wind velocities are already sufficient to damage these sheets resulting in most cases in the tearing of such sheets. Because of their low resistance, the above-mentioned sheets are not suitable for providing windowlike structural elements or permanent coverings. The prior art hotbed coverings are not suitable for any other purposes. It is not possible to erect building structures such as for example greenhouses or the like, utilizing these prior art coverings.

Bearing the above in mind, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved windowlike structural element of the type mentioned in the introduction, the structural element comprising a translucent, lightweight covering which is unbreakable, shockproof and resistant to compression, even after having been exposed to the action of sun and cold for prolonged periods.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved windowlike structural element of the above-mentioned type which is more durable and may be manufactured more economically than prior art hotbed roofings and coverings.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved windowlike structural elements of the above-mentioned type which are economical in their overall production and may be readily assembled in order to erect complete greenhouses and the like.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide improved windowlike structural elements of the above-mentioned type which, taken by themselves, constitute complete and finished elements and allow the assembly of several elements to form a hotbed covering or a self-supporting wall similar to the glass wall or the like.

For achieving the above objects, a windowlike structural element comprises, according to the present invention, a frame and a windowlike covering mounted in this frame, whereby this frame includes two horizontal frame portions and two vertical frame portions, each of these frame portions consisting of two mating flat sections having legs bent at right angles upwardly and downwardly, respectively, at one side from the plane of the flat sections, these legs are connected by means of a slidable sleeve slidably displaceable on the legs and thereby overlapping the legs, the sleeve comprises a lead-in slot and connecting means for assembly of several structural elements in the mechanical assembly technique. The flat sections provided with the angle-shaped legs of the horizontal frame portions are arranged between the two flat sections provided with the angle-shaped legs of the vertical frame portions, whereby the flat sections are provided in the overlap region of the flat sections of the horizontal and the vertical frame portions with slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive connecting screws, and the flat sections are further provided with spaced perforations adapted to receive screws for connecting the mating flat sections and for mounting or stretching, respectively, a covering sheet arranged between the mating flat sections.

The windowlike covering stretched between the flat sections of the several frame portions consists of a sheet blank of polytherephthalic acid ester sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate sheet having a beadlike edge reinforcement and being provided with circular holes corresponding to the perforations in the flat sections.

According to a further feature of the present invention, the bent profile legs of the flat sections and the slidable sleeves comprise mutually corresponding perforations adapted to receive connecting screws for the assembly of several structural elements. For joining several structural elements, the legs forming the lead-in slot of the slidable sleeves are bent back towards the interior of the sleeve. In this case, the connecting means for connecting any two structural elements then consist of an approximately U-shaped profile, the legs of which follow the shape of the sleeve legs and overlap the sleeve profile.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after having read the following specification which describes some preferred embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a windowlike structural element; FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view along the line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view along the line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the windowlike structural element;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top view of the windowlike structural element;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of connecting means for connecting two structural elements;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the T-sbaped frame profile having two fiat section profile legs;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a T-shaped frame profile in which a sheet is mounted;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a structural element comprising T-shaped frame profiles and profile fillets which have been pushed onto the frame profiles;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of an angleshaped profile frame with a flat section profile; and

FIG. 1 1 is a fragmentary top view of a sheet portion.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing the windowlike structural element of the invention comprises a square or rectangular frame 10, the horizontal frame portions of which are designated with the reference numerals 11, 12 and the vertical frame portions of which are designated with the reference numerals 13, 14. Each frame portion 11, 12, 13, 14 consists of two flat sections 15, 16 having legs 17, 18 bent at right angles upwardly and downwardly, respectively, at one side from the plane of the fiat sections whereby the profile legs 17, 18 are arranged in one plane (FIG. 4). The connection of the two flat sections 15, 16 is effected by means of a slidable sleeve 20 of a preferably approximately rectangular profile. The sliding sleeve 20 is provided with a lead-in slot 21 facing the flat sections 15, 16. The lead-in slot 21 is bordered by the sleeve legs 22, 23. The rims 22a and 23a of the sleeve legs 22 and 23 are facing the flat sections l5, 16 (FIG. 2). The sleeve 20 which has been pushed onto the fiat sections 15, 16 comprising the profile legs 17, 18 overlaps the profile legs 17, 18 and holds the two fiat sections 15, 16 together. The rims 22a, and 23a of the sleeve legs 22, 23 are preferably provided with a gasket in the form of an U-shaped rubber profile.

The frame 10 is assembled by inserting the flat sections 15, 16 of the horizontal frame portions 11, 12 between the flat sections 15, 16 of the vertical frame portions 13, 14 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Slot-shaped perforations 25 adapted to receive connecting screws or tension screws 26 are provided in the flat sections l5, 16 within the overlap region of flat sections I5, 116 of the horizontal and the vertical frame portions ll, 12 and 13, 14 respectively (FIG. ll). It is also possible to provide further perforations 27 in the flat sections I5, M5. These further perforations 27 would be mutually spaced over the whole lengths of the fiat sections. This is particularly advantageous if the frame is of larger size (FIG. 4 The perforations 2B are diagonally arranged, i.e. the perforations are directed towards the center of the frame-shaped structural element. The twin flat sections l5, 116 may also comprise in each of two adjacent frame portions Ill, 13 or 111, M or I2, 13 or l2, 14, respectively, perforations 27 in the form of circular holes adapted to receive connecting screws for the sheet 50, and slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive tension screws may be provided in the profile portions 12, 114! or 12, 113 or Ill, 14 or l1, 13, respectively facing these profile portions 11, 13 or II, M or I2, 113 or l2, M, respectively.

For joining several windowlike structural elements the wall portions of the slidable sleeve 20 facing the section legs 17, 18 as well as the section legs 17, I8 may be provided with perforations adapted to receive connecting screws. The perforations in the section legs l7, 118 are indicated at 30, and the perforations in the slidable sleeve 20 are indicated at 311 (FIG. 4). As soon as the sleeve 29 has been pushed onto the section legs l7, 18 the perforations 30, 31 overlap, allowing to readily introduce the connecting screws.

In FIG. 6 is shown a further embodiment of the connecting or joining means. In this further embodiment, the legs 22, 23 of the slidable sleeve 20 are bent towards the interior of the sleeve. The assembly of two structural elements may be effected by means of a U-shaped profile 35 or 35a respectively, the free legs 36, 37 or 360, 37a, respectively, of which follow the shape of the legs 22, 23 of the slidable sleeve 20, and are therefore adapted to overlap the sleeves of two adjacent structural elements. Preferably, the connecting profile 35 consists of a resilient plastic material but different materials may also be used; at least the legs 36, 37 or 360, 37a of the connecting profiles 35 or 35a, respectively, must exhibit resilient properties, in order to obtain a precise fit. By applying the connecting profiles from both sides onto the slidable sleeves 20 a secure connection of the structural elements is obtained.

In order to secure the slidable sleeves 20 of the horizontal and the vertical frame portions 1111, I2 and I3, l4 against an unintentional removal, the upper leg portions 20a of the slidable sleeves 20 of the horizontal frame portions Ill, 12 which are running parallel to the flat sections l5, l6 may comprise angle-shaped ears 40 at the ends of these leg portions 20a so that these ears 40 may be overlapped by the pushed-on sleeves 20 of the vertical frame portions 13, I4. The ears 40 as well as the leg portions 20a of the slidable sleeves 20 of the vertical frame portions 13, M are provided with perforations which are preferably internally threaded. The perforations of the slidable sleeves of the vertical frame portions l3, l4 mate with the perforations in the ears, allowing to readily introduce connecting screws indicated at 411 (FIG. 5).

The windowlike covering in the form of a sheet of foil, particularly in the form of a polyterephthalic acid ester sheet such as a polyethylene terephthalate sheet indicated by the reference numeral 50 is extended between the flat sections l5, I6 of the four frame portions l1, l2, 113, M. In the region of the perforations 25 and 27, respectively, the sheet likewise comprises perforations 52 which correspond to the perforations 25, 27 and allow the insertion of the connecting screws or tension screws serving to tension the sheet simultaneously. For providing a good edge support of the sheet on the flat sections l5, 16, the latter are preferably of a larger width than their legs 17, 18. The sheet blank used for the windowlike covering comprises a beadlike edge reinforcement 5ll in which the perforations 52 are arranged. The edges of these perforations are reinforced by an excess of material (FIG. Ill).

In a further embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7 the free edges of the bent legs 17, lb of the flat sections 15, 116 are connected by a connecting web 60 running approximately parallel to the legs 17, 11% in thus forming a T-profile which may be overlapped by a slidable sleeve 20b having an U- shaped profile (FIG. 9). The connecting web 6'11! may be arcuately shaped or may have the shape of a connecting flange 60a (FIG. 8). This connecting flange 60a is provided at the far side of the T-profile, remote from the flat sections 11$, 16 and comprises perforations 61 adapted to receive fixing screws for assembly of several structural elements in the mechanical assembly technique. As may be seen in FIG. 30), it is possible to employ only a single angle section 62 for the construction of the frame. The section legs 62b of the two legs 62a, 62b comprise mutually spaced circular perforations and/or slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive the tension and fixing screws for the sheet. The section legs 62b further comprise a flat web profile 63. The sheet 50 stretched in the frame is then held between the flat web profile 63 and the section leg 62b. Sealing strips 6%, 65 are provided at the facing surfaces of the flat sections 115, 16 and of the profiles 62b, 63, respectively. These sealing strips may consist of plastic foam material layers.

When erecting building structures by employing the windowlike structural elements which are self-supporting due to the profiling of the frames, static weak supporting structures are able to support window elements of a relatively large size and may support correspondingly large roofing surfaces, because of the considerable saving in weight and of the lightweight sheet covering. Preferably, U-shaped profiles are utilized which are attached to the supporting structure in such a manner that on both sides the profile openings in horizontal or vertical direction are facing each other, thus allowing to inset a desired number of windowlike structural elements. The outer edges or joints of the windowlike structural elements are provided with foam sealing material serving to seal adjoining surfaces. The last member of the windowlike structural elements is then maintained under pressure by a cocking lever arranged on the frame of the supporting structure.

All parts of the structural element may be made of a plastic material. The fiat sections I5, 16 and the slidable sleeves 20 may also be made of a metallic material which is preferably a corrosion-resisting material.

The windowlike structural element of the invention may be readily assembled out of the individual parts. When transporting the structural elements, the separate parts require only little space. Additionally stretching of the sheet in the frame may be readily effected. The connecting means allow the assembly of several structural elements in the mechanical assembly technique. In this manner, hotbed windows, window walls, or greenhouses may be erected. It is likewise possible to employ these structural elements for emergency glassing-in such as in new constructions. By its design the structural element represents an inherently rigid unit, Several assembled structural elements are self-supporting.

All of the profiles of the structural element are manufactured in the desired sizes of the window. The flat sections including the bent legs form a static frame reinforcement. At the same time, the beveled profiles serve as a clamping system for the type of covering employed. Since the profiles of the individual frame portions overlap in the corner regions of the frame it is possible to attain even stretching, even in every comer of the frame. The perforations provided in the flat sections allow to readily mount elastic coverings such as sheets or foils. By employing a polyterephthalic acid ester sheet as covering material further benefits may be obtained, due to the high resistance to tearing and to shock of this material. In the construction of greenhouses it is possible to slide the windowlike structural elements into vertical and horizontal U- profiles which are attached to the struttings. The structural elements may then be secured by means of tension locks which can be released when desired.

In order to join several structural elements in a side-by-side relationship in the form of a vertical wall, the tension profiles l5, 116 for the windowlike covering or the slidable sleeves 20, respectively, may be provided with detachable hinges in the form of a mortise-and-tenon joint. In this case, one half of the hinge is attached to a first structural element and the other half of the hinge is attached to a second structural element so that upon assembling of the structural elements a continuous vertical wall may be constructed which, in virtue of the hinge connections, allows any desired shape of the element wall and any desired attachment arrangement of the same, for example to stationary uprights.

I claim:

1. A windowlike structural element for covering hotbeds or for the erection of building structures, comprising a square or rectangular frame and a windowlike covering mounted in said frame, characterized in that said frame includes two horizontal frame portions and two vertical frame portions. each of said frame portions consisting of two mating flat sections having legs bent at right angles upwardly and downwardly, respectively, at one side from the plane of said flat sections, said legs being connected by means of a slidable sleeve slidably displaceable on said legs and thereby overlapping said legs, said sleeve comprising a lead-in slot and connecting means for assembly of several structural elements in the mechanical assembly technique, that said flat sections with said angleshaped legs of said horizontal frame portions are arranged between said two flat sections with said angle-shaped legs of said vertical frame portions, that said flat sections are provided in the overlap region of said flat sections of said horizontal and said vertical frame portions having slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive connecting screws, and that a windowlike covering consisting of a sheet blank having an edge reinforcement provided with circular holes is mounted between said mating flat sections whereby said flat sections comprise spaced perforations adapted to receive tension screws and said perforations mate with said circular holes in said sheet blank.

2. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1, in which said windowlike covering stretched between said flat sections consists of a sheet of polyterephthalic acid sheet, particularly of a polyethylene terephthalate sheet.

3. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1, in which said flat sections of said horizontal and said vertical frame portions are of a larger width than said bent legs thereof, and that said slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive said connecting screws are arranged diagonally to each other in the overlap regions of said flat sections.

4. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said double flat sections comprise in each of two adjacent profile portions perforations in the form of circular holes adapted to receive fixing screws for mounting said sheet and comprise slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive tension screws, in each of said profile portions adjacent to one of these sections comprising said circular holes.

5. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said frame portions are assembled from separate profiles to a self-supporting T-profile and are joined by pushing on a sleevelike, rabbet profile, and in which said profiles and said bent profile legs of said flat sections include mutually corresponding perforations adapted to receive connecting screws for the assembly of several structural elements.

6. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said legs forming said lead-in slot of said slidable sleeve are bent back towards the interior of said sleeve, and in which said connecting means for connecting any two structural elements consist of an approximately U-shaped profile, the legs of which follow the shape of the sleeve legs and overlap said sleeve profile.

7. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said upper leg portions of said slidable sleeves of said horizontal frame portions are arranged in parallel relation to said flat sections and are provided at their ends with angleshaped ears comprising perforations which are preferably internally threaded, and in which said slidable sleeves of said vertical frame portions are provided at their ends positioned in said upper leg portions running parallel to said flat sections with perforations adapted to receive connecting screws, where y said perforations correspond to said perforations provided in said ears.

8. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said legs forming said lead-in slot of said slidable sleeves are provided with U-shaped rubber profiles, at their rims facing said lead-in slot.

9. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said free edges of said bent legs of said flat sections are mutually joined by a connecting web running approximately parallel to said legs, forming thereby a T-profile which is overlapped by a slidable sleeve having a U-profile.

10. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 9, in which said web connecting said profile legs is arcuately shaped.

11. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said connecting web of said profile legs is of an angularshaped profile having perforations adapted to receive fixing screws.

12. A window like structural element as defined in claim 1, in which said flat sections including said bent legs consist of an angle section comprising profile legs, one of said profile legs being provided with mutually spaced circular perforations and/or slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive tension and fixing screws for said sheet, and having a flat web profile.

13. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which a sealing strip is provided at the mutually facing surfaces of said flat sections.

14. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said sealing strip consists of plastic foam material layers. 

1. A windowlike structural element for covering hotbeds or for the erection of building structures, comprising a square or rectangular frame and a windowlike covering mounted in said frame, characterized in that said frame includes two horizontal frame portions and two vertical frame portions, each of said frame portions consisting of two mating flat sections having legs bent at right angles upwardly and downwardly, respectively, at one side from the plane of said flat sections, said legs being connected by means of a slidable sleeve slidably displaceable on said legs and thereby overlapping said legs, said sleeve comprising a lead-in slot and connecting means for assembly of several structural elements in the mechanical assembly technique, that said flat sections with said angle-shaped legs of said horizontal frame portions are arranged between said two flat sections with said angle-shaped legs of said vertical frame portions, that said flat sections are provided in the overlap region of said flat sections of said horizontal and said vertical frame portions having slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive connecting screws, and that a windowlike covering consisting of a sheet blank having an edge reinforcement provided with circular holes is mounted between said mating Flat sections whereby said flat sections comprise spaced perforations adapted to receive tension screws and said perforations mate with said circular holes in said sheet blank.
 2. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1, in which said windowlike covering stretched between said flat sections consists of a sheet of polyterephthalic acid sheet, particularly of a polyethylene terephthalate sheet.
 3. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1, in which said flat sections of said horizontal and said vertical frame portions are of a larger width than said bent legs thereof, and that said slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive said connecting screws are arranged diagonally to each other in the overlap regions of said flat sections.
 4. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1, in which said double flat sections comprise in each of two adjacent profile portions perforations in the form of circular holes adapted to receive fixing screws for mounting said sheet and comprise slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive tension screws, in each of said profile portions adjacent to one of these sections comprising said circular holes.
 5. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said frame portions are assembled from separate profiles to a self-supporting T-profile and are joined by pushing on a sleevelike, rabbet profile, and in which said profiles and said bent profile legs of said flat sections include mutually corresponding perforations adapted to receive connecting screws for the assembly of several structural elements.
 6. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said legs forming said lead-in slot of said slidable sleeve are bent back towards the interior of said sleeve, and in which said connecting means for connecting any two structural elements consist of an approximately U-shaped profile, the legs of which follow the shape of the sleeve legs and overlap said sleeve profile.
 7. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said upper leg portions of said slidable sleeves of said horizontal frame portions are arranged in parallel relation to said flat sections and are provided at their ends with angle-shaped ears comprising perforations which are preferably internally threaded, and in which said slidable sleeves of said vertical frame portions are provided at their ends positioned in said upper leg portions running parallel to said flat sections with perforations adapted to receive connecting screws, whereby said perforations correspond to said perforations provided in said ears.
 8. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said legs forming said lead-in slot of said slidable sleeves are provided with U-shaped rubber profiles, at their rims facing said lead-in slot.
 9. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said free edges of said bent legs of said flat sections are mutually joined by a connecting web running approximately parallel to said legs, forming thereby a T-profile which is overlapped by a slidable sleeve having a U-profile.
 10. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 9, in which said web connecting said profile legs is arcuately shaped.
 11. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which said connecting web of said profile legs is of an angular-shaped profile having perforations adapted to receive fixing screws.
 12. A window like structural element as defined in claim 1, in which said flat sections including said bent legs consist of an angle section comprising profile legs, one of said profile legs being provided with mutually spaced circular perforations and/or slot-shaped perforations adapted to receive tension and fixing screws for said sheet, and having a flat web profile.
 13. A windowlike structural element as defined in claim 1 in which a sealing strip is provided at the mutually facing surfaces of said flat sections.
 14. A windowlike structUral element as defined in claim 1 in which said sealing strip consists of plastic foam material layers. 